Harlem Eubank has reacted to reports that brother Chris’ team are considering launching an appeal over alleged use of the elbow from Liam Smith in the pair’s blockbuster fight last weekend.
Smith stopped Eubank Jr in the fourth round at the Manchester Arena, however promoter Kalle Sauerland revealed earlier this week that conversations are being had about an elbow that Smith appeared to land in the combination that hurt ‘Next Gen.’
Light welterweight contender Harlem, though, told Boxing UK he was sceptical whether the idea for an appeal came from his elder brother.
“I don’t think it came from Jr, because he’s a fighter and I don’t think that’d be in his mind.”
“The elbow obviously landed. Would the elbow cause damage in the flurry? Of course it would.”
“But there’s another aspect, it’s part of the game. If they could get away with it, I’m sure most fighters would land an elbow.”
“It can be used as a weapon and it’s a skill to hide something like that within a combination.”
The defeat was the first time Eubank has been stopped in his professional career, and speculation has arisen that his gruelling weight cut to 157lbs ahead of his ultimately cancelled bout with Conor Benn may have depleted the famously durable star.
He has the option of a rematch clause, however it remains unclear whether he will activate it, move up in weight or even retire.
As for Smith, he has been linked to big money fights with the likes of Gennadiy Golovkin and Kell Brook in the event that Eubank decides to decline a rematch.